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The Human Heartbeat Protection Act would ban abortions at 12 weeks into pregnancy if a heartbeat is detected, with exceptions for cases of rape or incest, to save the life of the mother or for a lethal fetal condition.

Last week, the Legislature overrode Beebe’s ban of a bill that bans abortions after 20 weeks, and it went into effect immediately.

At least nine other states have passed 20-week bans, based on the assertion that the fetus can experience pain after 20 weeks. Arkansas is the only state at the moment pushing ahead on the 12 week ban, which is roughly the end of the first trimester.

This article first appeared on POLITICO Pro at 4:26 p.m. on March 5, 2013.